Businesses warned against selling expired goods
Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism says it is the business' responsibility to refund customers for all expired products purchased.
POLOKWANE – Sellers intentionally present expired goods on shelves with the aim of maximising profits by advertising lower prices for such goods.
This is according to the Economic Department that last week warned sellers against selling expired goods at discounted prices as this is illegal.
“Responsible for consumer protection, we consider it a criminal offence to sell or offer to sell any food product which is contaminated or unsafe for consumption by the consumer. The department hereby calls upon all businesses to refrain from presenting expired products on shelves as well as the removal from sale all contaminated products or unsafe foodstuffs,” a recent statement reads.
Some shops in the central business district are often searched by law enforcement authorities and found to be selling expired items, while in other instances authorities would suspect that original expiration dates had been altered.
The department’s Zaid Kalla said from time to time, shops across the city and beyond are raided and searched without prior announcement and owners are sentenced or fined.
“The seller, however, has the right to place marked-down prices on any perishable goods before reaching its expiry date and it is therefore the responsibility of the buyer to check such expiry dates and make a decision on whether to buy or not, as well as the quantities to purchase,” he explained.
The business has the responsibility to refund customers for all expired products which were purchased if they were unaware of the expiry date, Kalla remarked.
